Be a hero in 2013

Oakville Beaver

There are no words to describe the horror that took place in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday, no way to ease the heartbreak the families of the children and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School are enduring during what is always hoped to be a joyful season.

Instead of pageants, caroling, baking and gift-wrapping, they are mourning unthinkable loss.

In the wake of such an incomprehensible tragedy, most have felt a hollow numbness. Despite the overwhelming urge to explain, solve and/or blame, there is no easy answer. Gun control, mental health services, violence depicted in the media... we’ll never know if any or all may have contributed to the young gunman’s mindset as he entered the school and killed 26 people, 20 of them children.

We do know that, in the face of the unthinkable, many people showed the best side of human nature. From teachers who sacrificed their own safety to protect students to the front line emergency services, a list of heroes emerged from the tragedy, answering evil with bravery and compassion. Even the father of a victim extended compassion to the family of the perpetrator.

We would do well to remember that we don’t have to wait until crisis strikes to practice such ideals. We can be heroes every day. Our actions don’t have to be magnanimous, and sometimes they won’t even be acknowledged. We could volunteer — or simply drop off clean socks and blankets at a charity.

Whatever it is, we do have to step in, right wrongs when we see them, offer a hand when needed or even just see things from another person’s point of view and offer support. And not just during the holidays.

During the season, toy drives, food collections and fundraisers abound. It is deeply appreciated; just ask the mom who needs help to put gifts under the tree for her children, the family that receives a food hamper for their festive meal or the caregiver who gets respite thanks to a visiting program. But in the cold, stark light of January, many in our community will continue to struggle with poverty, homelessness, mental illness, disability and loneliness. And the very agencies receiving a bounty of assistance now will be scrambling to fill the needs.

Hopefully, we will remember to carry our compassion through those days. We may not agree with life choices, government policies or how a perfect society should look. But we do need to understand we have a role to play — and then play it, and teach our children by example.

Ultimately, heroes are our last line of defence when tragedy strikes. And we need more of them.

The Oakville Beaver wishes all our readers all the peace and joy of the holidays.